MANAGING OUR FAMILIES BY MANAGING OUR MONEY

Today’s culture has brought with it some destructive pressures to the American family. One such pressure point is money pressure, specifically financial debt. Seems like “ Till death do us part” is being replaced with “Till debt do us part”. The money problems is listed in the top reasons for marriage stress and often breakup.

The Lord has a lot to say about money and it can be applied to our family life. Managing marriage and money go hand in hand. The Christian family dedicated to living life by the principles of the Bible has a certain advantage in having a healthy marriage. If we come to the Bible and obey its principles we shall live more abundantly.

The Bible is full of instruction from the Lord concerning money management. Proverbs, 1st Corinthians 16, and 2nd Corinthians 9 just to mention a few places. From 2nd Corinthians 9 I would like to share a few guidelines on managing money that apply to everyone who is a believer whether single or married. I will not go into depth concerning this passage but hopefully will help you to glean a few helpful truths. Perhaps these thoughts will encourage you to make some adjustments and dig deeper into God’s Word to seek advice in how to manage your money before it manages you and brings destruction to your family.

2nd Corinthians 9:

I. Keep In Mind The Source. (v 8)

In verse 8, Paul said, “ God is able to make all grace abound toward you; that ye, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work”. In this brief statement the Lord wants us to keep in our mind that He is generous and will supply all the resources we need to live . So whatever resources we have as a single or a couple we need to recognize it is all from God. Our Lord will give all we need as we exercise His principles of work and good stewardship which He provides for us in His Word. As we live out His principles the Lord will supply all we need to live and all we need to give! Healthy Families Trust!

II. Keep Our Desires Under Restraint.

We must continually keep our lustful desires from controlling us. Each of us has real need's and perceived greed's. I am thankful the Lord gives us over our needs but He promises to meet our needs not our greed's. Unwise spending based on impulse shopping and being lured into meeting a greed is one of Satan's cleverest temptations. Many individuals and families seem to feed their covetousness instead of focusing on their contentment. As we focus on Christ and what He provides it will lead us to thanking Him for His sovereign provisions. Hebrews 13:5.Healthy Families Restrain!

III. Keep As Priority God’s Glory. (v13)

Be determined that the whole purpose of life is to bring glory to Jesus Christ. Paul told the Corinthians that their financial gift to the Jerusalem church would cause those believers to glorify God. And the reason they would glorify God was because of the Corinthians were giving because of the great work of God in their lives. Healthy families are those who learn to look at finances as one way to worship the Lord. Healthy Families Give! Healthy Families Glorify God!

IV. Keep Partnership At All Times.

As we study this passage we are reminded that Paul was writing to a group of people. The entire church at Corinth. In the same way our marriage and family must work together in the managing of money. Everyone should attempt to help provide, and use the resources wisely. My and mine is replaced with our and others especially in the matter of money. Thus couples need to communicate and agree on money matters.Healthy Families Partner Together.

V. Keep Planning The Work and Working The Plan. (v6)

“ He which soweth sparingly shall also reap sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully”. This verse is in reference of farming. The successful farmer plans when they will plant, cultivate and harvest. Successful families do the same with their financial endeavors. They use budgets and keep good records. They “ Plan the Work and Work the Plan”. That sounds pretty simple but it is amazingly profound and productive. Organization seems like it is a lot of work but in reality it simplifies life and relives a ton of pressure.Healthy Families Plan Together!

VI. Keep Making, Spending, Saving And Sharing Financially. (v7)

“ Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God liveth a cheerful giver”. Day by day, week by week we must continue to work as we provide more resources for ourselves, our family and others in need. As we gain resources we must be good stewards in spending those resources. And we must practice saving some of all we make. We can learn so much from the little ANT in the book of proverbs. But with all we make, all we spend, all we save we are instructed by our Lord that we are to take a planed amount and give to Gods work and others in need. And as we do we are to be cheerful knowing that our Lord is well pleased and will bless those who become givers and not takers.

Giving should be done purposefully, joyfully, expectantly. Sharing wealth does not impoverish a Christian - it is the refusal to share that brings poverty of soul and finances to people , particularly God’s children. Proverbs 22:9; Acts 20:35.Healthy Families Share Together.

May our families live by faith in all areas including money bringing glory to God and good to our marriages!